Load info for my Sidekick

[perklo]

After reading some pretty horrible reviews of Powerbelt performance (they basically shatter on impact), I'm going to return to TC MaxiBalls for my slug of choice. I have a wad of 370 grain MB's on hand, so what would a good starting load be with Pyrodex RS?  90 or 100 gr. in my Stainless Sidekick?

- perklo 

[quickdtoo]

Off topic, but the reviews at Bass Pro on the PB hollow point versions show them to be good, 30 out of 43 rate them 5 star, also, a good share of the older PB reviews are those that rate it low, indicating maybe BPI improved them later.  I use the all lead version in my TC and CVA, but haven't been lucky enough to shoot anything with em yet, good luck in your quest. 

Tim

http://reviews.basspro.com/2010/26090/powerbelt-hollowpoint-copper-plated-or-lead-bullets-reviews/reviews.htm

[perklo]

Hmmmm . . .  it was just this fall that I read the review in one of the big magazines, and there were two tests and both Powerbelts failed badly. The deepest penetration was about seven inches in ballistic gelatin, and the largest piece recovered was around 125 grains.

I would prefer a no expansion pass-through myself, with a .50 hole . . . with that diameter, you don't need expansion!

Personally, I have had three friends shoot deer with Powerbelts and all had trouble finding them. Little blood and long runs before expiring.

- perklo

[Jal5]

I have not had any problem to date using the PB took my second biggest buck to date with Sidekick and PB several years ago, 10 pt. clean pass through and only went about 30 yds and piled up.

Joe

[bikerbeans]

Perklo,

I have shot the 370 T/Cs in a CVA with loose pyrodex and I started with 75 grains and worked up.  Best loads in the 80 to 85 grain load.  Bullets grouped much better with a fiber wad than without.  Never got to shoot a critter with the gun however.

good luck

BB

[Busta]

The Hornady 350 gr FPB will eat PowerBelts lunch, every day, all day. This is my 3rd year with them and they are the most accurate bullet that has ever graced my Huntsman's bore. I use 80 gr of Blackhorn 209, with a custom breech plug. Don't even waste your money trying to shoot Blackhorn 209 with the standard breech plug w/carriers, it is not reliable.

My Huntsman is still 100% in the field, and I have shot a lot of whitetails and elk with her.

Having taken a decent 2-1/2 year old 9 point buck in the archery season, and letting several other nice bucks live to see another day. I decided to take a nice eater today, a 1-1/2 year old dry doe. Even had two small bucks I let go by about 10 minutes earlier, and eleven does tonight. Not bad, was only set down for about 30 minutes before the show started. She is hanging in the garage, just chillin out.

80 grains of Blackhorn 209, 350 gr Hornady FPB, CCI 209M primer, out of my little $200 NEF Huntsman .50 cal with my custom breech plug. I have never been able to recover one of these bullets, no matter how hard I try, they just keep passing on through.









The 300 gr version has only been out for about a year now, so this season will prove whether it will live up to it's big brothers reputation. I have tested the 350 gr version to a point where PowerBelts and Hornady Great Plains fail, and I would give it a passing grade.





PowerBelt, failed.



Great Plains, failed.